FROM a genteel stroll around an ageing country house to a spot of afternoon tea, you could be forgiven for thinking that exploring the West Midlands’ heritage isn’t the most exciting of pastimes.

But English Heritage is hoping to blow the cobwebs away as hundreds of properties prepare to open their doors to the public as part of a celebration of the region’s history and culture.

Heritage Open Days will see more than a million people file through the doors of 4,000 of the country’s most unique buildings, as private homes, castles, factories, churches, temples and historic gardens put out the welcome mat from September 9 to 12.

English Heritage outreach manager Suzanne Carter said: “Hundreds of properties and organisations took part last year and this year we can reveal that 40 new and interesting entries have been added to the list.

“As well as free admission, many places offer the rare opportunity to access areas that are usually off-limits. There really is something for everyone with Heritage Open Days as it offers a great way to explore, discover and have fun for all ages.”

Highlights also include an invitation to jump aboard the Big Brum Open Top Bus for a tour of the city’s architecture, and visitors to Soho House in Handsworth will be given a unique opportunity to go up on the roof and see where former owner, manufacturer Matthew Boulton, watched the stars.

Among the more unusual activities on offer is a chance to glimpse behind the shop floor at Wolverhampton department store Beatties, which is now a House of Fraser.

The flagship store, which first opened in 1877, is holding an exhibition with archive documents and original objects including the first Beatties carrier bag.

There will also be a behind-the-scenes tour of the costume collection at Warwick Museum and a chance to see the newly-restored 16th century gatehouse at Polesworth Abbey in Warwickshire.